NEUROPEPTIDES: GENE EXPRESSION & BEHAVIOR

这项研究计划的长期目标是确定 一套控制行为行为的监管机制 神经调节剂，特别是神经肽。重组DNA， 免疫组织化学、生化和电生理 技术用于跟踪编码的信息流 从基因表达水平开始的神经肽基因 延伸到直接调节的生理活动 动物的行为。 由于巨大的数字复杂性和细胞多样性 关于哺乳动物的中枢神经系统，一种简化论的方法 是恰当的。两个无脊椎动物系统用于这些研究。 果蝇，黑腹果蝇是研究最广泛的 在基因水平上最能被理解的真核生物。一个 与四种氨基酸神经肽相关的一组多肽 PheMetArgPhe-酰胺将在遗传、生化方面进行研究 和行为层面。 海洋蜗牛，加利福尼亚州海兔，有一个中枢神经系统 只有20,000个细胞。单元格很大，可以辨认 许多神经元的行为作用已经被确立。 许多大型神经元高水平表达神经肽基因。 促进蛋白质分解加工、包装和 多肽产品的运输。海兔还提供 有机会研究与之并存的分子 多肽。 确定各种精神疾病的原因需要通过 了解神经元的细胞生物学。最基本的 无脊椎动物神经元用来调节神经元活动的机制 神经调节剂可能在所有物种中都是常见的，包括 天哪。因此，这些研究将有助于提供对 精神障碍的机制，从而推动研究 更接近有效疗法的努力。

The long term objective of this research program is to define the set of regulatory mechanisms which control the behavioral actions of neuromodulators, particularly neuropeptides. Recombinant DNA, immunohistochemical, biochemical and electrophysiological techniques are used to follow the flow of information encoded in neuropeptide genes beginning at the level of gene expression extending to the physiological activities which directly modulate animal behavior. Due to the tremendous numerical complexity and cellular diversity of the mammalian central nervous system, a reductionist approach is appropriate. Two invertebrate systems are for these studies. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster is the most widely studied and best understood eucaryotic organism at the genetic level. A set of peptides related to the four amino acid neuropeptide PheMetArgPhe-amide will be investigated at the genetic, biochemical and behavioral level. The marine snail, Aplysia california has a central nervous system consisting of only 20,000 cells. The cells are large, identifiable and the behavioral roles of many neurons have been established. Many of the large neurons express neuropeptide genes at high levels facilitating studies of proteolytic processing, packaging and transport of the peptide products. Aplysia also offers the opportunity to study molecules which are copackaged with the peptides. Defining the causes of various mental illnesses requires a through understanding of the cell biology of neurons. The fundamental mechanisms used by invertebrate neurons to regulate the actions of neuromodulators are likely to be common to all species including man. Thus these studies will help in providing insight into the mechanisms of psychiatric disorders, thereby moving research efforts closer to effective therapies.